Extension arm and method of use

ABSTRACT

A method of operating at least one of a fan and a vent in a ceiling of a recreational vehicle using an extension arm, the extension arm including an elongated shaft with an operable end, comprising grabbing the extension arm with one&#39;s hand; engaging one of a turn switch, a turn crank, and a knob of one of the fan and vent in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle with the operable end; and at least one of operating the fan and vent by rotating one of the turn switch, the turn crank, and the knob with the operable end by rotating the extension arm with one&#39;s hand.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/472,070, filed Mar. 28, 2017, which is incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to extension devices for grabbing ormoving an object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recreation vehicles (RVs) includes vents and fans to provide airventilation in and through the RV. Many of these vents and fans areoperated through turn cranks and switches. Some of these vents and fans(along with the cranks/switches) are located in the ceiling of the RV.To operate the crank/switch, a person of medium or small stature needsto stand on a short ladder or step stool to reach the crank/switch.Older individuals may not possess the balance necessary to stand on ashort ladder or step stool. As a result, the older individual could fallfrom the ladder or stool while reaching for the crank/switch and becomeinjured. Another problem is that the ladder/stool needs to stored in alocation where it is readily available. The ladder/stool can occupysignificant storage space where little storage space exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention involves an extension arm that allows one toreach the cranks/switches in RV ceilings top operate the vents/fans.

Another aspect of the invention involves a method of operating at leastone of a fan and a vent in a ceiling of a recreational vehicle using anextension arm, the extension arm including an elongated shaft with anoperable end, comprising grabbing the extension arm with one's hand;engaging one of a turn switch, a turn crank, and a knob of one of thefan and vent in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle with theoperable end; and at least one of operating the fan and vent by rotatingone of the turn switch, the turn crank, and the knob with the operableend by rotating the extension arm with one's hand.

One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention describedimmediately above includes one or more of the following: the operableend includes a coupling attached to the extension arm, the couplingincluding a plurality of tangs, and engaging includes engaging the turnswitch with the plurality of tangs; the turn switch includes a pluralityof arms and the coupling of the operable end includes a plurality ofspaced notches separating the plurality of tangs, and engaging includesreceivably engaging the plurality of arms of the turn switch in theplurality of spaced notches of the coupling of the operable end; thecoupling with tangs include an outer surface and a plurality ofreinforcement tangs adhered to an outer surface to reinforce the tangsand prevent the tangs from breaking off from the coupling; the couplingwith tangs include an outer surface and the operable end includes anouter, larger-diameter coupling with tangs adhered to the outer surfaceof coupling with tangs to reinforce the tangs and prevent the tangs frombreaking off from the coupling; the extension arm includes a circularend with an O-ring thereon, and the method further includes pressing afan switch with the O-ring to operate a fan in the ceiling of therecreational vehicle; the extension arm includes an end with a cap, andthe method further includes pressing a fan switch with the cap tooperate a fan in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle; the knob is avent control knob and includes a plurality of protruding portions andthe operable end includes a coupling attached to the extension arm, thecoupling including an open-ended vent knob control member having aplurality channels, and engaging includes receivably engaging theplurality of protruding portions of the vent control knob within theplurality of channels of the coupling of the operable end; the turncrank includes a single turn crank arm and the operable end includes aplurality of notches, and engaging includes receivably engaging thesingle turn crank arm within one of the plurality of notches; the turncrank includes a pair of arms extending linearly in opposite directionsfrom each other and the operable end includes a plurality of notches,and engaging includes receivably engaging the pair of arms within tworespective notches of the plurality of notches; the extension armincludes a second operable end including one of a coupling including aplurality of tangs, a coupling including a plurality of tangs and aplurality of spaced notches separating the plurality of tangs, acoupling including a plurality of tangs, an outer surface, and aplurality of reinforcement tangs adhered to an outer surface, a couplingincluding a plurality of tangs, an outer surface, and an outer,larger-diameter coupling with tangs adhered to the outer surface ofcoupling with tangs, a circular end with an O-ring thereon, an end cap,a coupling including an open-ended vent knob control member having aplurality channels, a plurality of notches, and the method furthercomprising grabbing the extension arm with one's hand; engaging one of aturn switch, a pressable switch, a turn crank, and a knob of one of thefan and vent in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle with the secondoperable end; and at least one of operating the fan and vent by one ofrotating one of the turn switch, the turn crank, and the knob with thesecond operable end by rotating the extension arm with one's hand, andpressing the pressable switch with the second operable end by raisingthe extension arm with one's hand; and/or the method includes firstgrabbing the extension arm with one's hand near the second operable endand engaging and operating one of the turn switch, the turn crank, andthe knob with the operable end followed by grabbing the extension armnear an opposite end, the operable end, and engaging and operating oneof the turn switch, the turn crank, and the knob with the secondoperable end.

An additional aspect of the invention involves an extension arm foroperating at least one of a fan and a vent in a ceiling of arecreational, comprising an elongated shaft with an operable end toengage and rotate one of a turn switch, a turn crank, and a knob of oneof the fan and vent in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle.

One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention describedimmediately above includes one or more of the following: the operableend includes a coupling attached to the extension arm, the couplingincluding a plurality of tangs to engage the turn switch; the turnswitch includes a plurality of arms and the coupling of the operable endincludes a plurality of spaced notches separating the plurality of tangsto receivably engage the plurality of arms of the turn switch in theplurality of spaced notches of the coupling of the operable end; thecoupling with tangs include an outer surface and a plurality ofreinforcement tangs adhered to an outer surface to reinforce the tangsand prevent the tangs from breaking off from the coupling; the couplingwith tangs include an outer surface and the operable end includes anouter, larger-diameter coupling with tangs adhered to the outer surfaceof coupling with tangs to reinforce the tangs and prevent the tangs frombreaking off from the coupling; the extension arm includes a circularend with an O-ring thereon to press the fan switch with the O-ring tooperate a fan in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle; the extensionarm includes an end with a cap to press the fan switch with the cap tooperate a fan in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle; the knob is avent control knob and includes a plurality of protruding portions andthe operable end includes a coupling attached to the extension arm, thecoupling including an open-ended vent knob control member having aplurality channels to receivably engage the plurality of protrudingportions of the vent control knob; the turn crank includes a single turncrank arm and the operable end includes a plurality of notches, one ofwhich receivably engages the single turn crank arm; the turn crankincludes a pair of arms extending linearly in opposite directions fromeach other and the operable end includes a plurality of notches, two ofwhich receivably engage the pair of arms; and/or the extension armincludes a second operable end including one of a coupling including aplurality of tangs, a coupling including a plurality of tangs and aplurality of spaced notches separating the plurality of tangs, acoupling including a plurality of tangs, an outer surface, and aplurality of reinforcement tangs adhered to an outer surface, a couplingincluding a plurality of tangs, an outer surface, and an outer,larger-diameter coupling with tangs adhered to the outer surface ofcoupling with tangs, a circular end with an O-ring thereon, an end cap,a coupling including an open-ended vent knob control member having aplurality channels, a plurality of notches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an extensionarm;

FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the extension arm of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken in area 2 of FIG. 1A of a firstoperable end of the extension arm;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view taken in area 3 of FIG. 1B of a secondoperable end of the extension arm;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first operable end of the extensionarm engaged with a turn switch of a fan in a RV ceiling;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first operable end of the extensionarm adjacent to a turn switch of a fan in a RV ceiling;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second operable end of the extensionarm adjacent to a first type of turn crank of a vent in a RV ceiling;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second operable end of the extensionarm adjacent to a second type of turn crank of a vent in a RV ceiling;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of user using the extension arm to operatea turn switch of a fan in a RV ceiling without the need for a ladder orstep stool;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an operable end ofthe extension arm;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of an operableend of the extension arm;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of an operable endof the extension arm;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of anoperable end of the extension arm;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the operable end of FIG. 12 adjacent toa third type of turn crank of a vent in a RV ceiling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1-13, an embodiment of an extension arm orextender 100 that allows people to reach cranks and switches in RVceilings to operate the vents and fans in the RV ceilings will bedescribed.

The extension arm 100 includes an elongated cylindrical pipe or shaft110, a first operable end 120, and an opposite second operable end 130.In the embodiment shown, the pipe 110 is 1 in. PVC plastic pipe that is24 in. in length. In alternative embodiments, the shaft 110 includes oneor more of alternative constructions, configurations, materials,lengths, diameters, and/or dimensions.

As shown best in FIG. 2, the first operable end 120 includes acylindrical coupling 140 that is attached (e.g., by adhesive such asglue) at the first operable end 120. In an alternative embodiment, thefirst operable end 120 does not include the coupling 140. A distal endof the coupling includes four substantially rectangular, tooth-shapedtangs 150 spaced evenly by notches 160. The tangs 150 extend distallyfrom the first operable end 120, parallel with a central longitudinalaxis defined by the cylindrical pipe 110. A rubber O-ring 170 isattached to a terminal end of the cylindrical pipe 110 at the firstoperable end 120, circumferentially interior to the coupling 140. In theembodiment shown, the height of each tang 150 is ⅜ in. and the width ofeach tang 150 is 5/16 in. and the straight-line distance between tangs150 or straight-line width of each notch 160 is ¾ in. In the embodimentshown, the rubber O-ring 170 is 1⅙ in. in diameter, 15/16 in. in with,and ⅛ in. in height. In the embodiment shown, the height of coupling 140(from the proximal end to the base of the tangs 150) is 1⅛ in.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show further embodiments of operable ends 171, 172similar to first operable end 120. Like elements will be shown anddescribed with like reference numbers, but with an “a” and “b” suffix.In FIG. 9, the operable end 171 includes reinforcement tangs 173 thatare adhered to an outer surface 174 of the coupling 140 a and tangs 150a, reinforcing the tangs 150 a and prevent them from snapping/breakingoff from the coupling 140 a. The reinforcement tangs 173 extend theheight/length of the operable end 171 (i.e., the combined height of thecoupling 140 a, including tangs 150 a). In FIG. 10, the operable end 172includes an outer, larger-diameter coupling 175 with tangs 176, whichslides over and adheres to the outer surface of inner, smaller-diametercoupling 140 b with tangs 150 b, reinforcing the tangs 150 b and preventthem from snapping/breaking off from the coupling 140 b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the second operable end 130 includes a first notch180, a second notch 190, and a third notch 200. The first notch 180 andthe second notch 190 separates a first tang 210 from a third tang 230and a second tang 220 from a third tang 230. In the embodiment shown,the first notch 180 and second notch 190 are 180 degrees apart. Theheight of the first notch 180 and second notch 190 is 5/16 in. and theheight of the third notch 200 is 1.2 in. The width of the first notch180 and second notch 190 is ⅛ in. and the width of the third notch 200is 0.5 in.

With reference to FIGS. 4-8, and initially FIGS. 4 and 8, the extensionarm 100 will now be described in use. To turn on or off a fan 250 in aceiling 252 of a RV 254, a user 240 grabs the extension arm 100 near thesecond operable end 130 and lifts the extension arm 100 upward so as toreach, engage, and operate a fan switch 260 with the first operable end120. The fan switch 260 is engaged so that the four arms 270 (in across-shaped configuration) are receivably engaged respectively by thefour evenly spaced notches 160 of the cylindrical coupling 140 at thefirst operable end 120. To turn on the fan 250, the fan switch 260 isrotated clockwise by the first operable end 120 by rotating the secondoperable end 130. Because the first operable end 120 is fixed relativeto the second operable end 130, rotation of the second operable end 130causes corresponding rotation in the first operable end 120, causing thefan switch 260 to rotate accordingly. Rotation of the fan switch 260clockwise turns on the fan 250 and rotation of the fan switch 260counter clockwise turns off the fan 250.

With reference to FIG. 5, to turn on/off a fan 280 including apush-button switch 290 in the RV ceiling, the user 240 handles theextension arm 100 in a similar manner to that discussed above withrespect to FIG. 4, except that the first operable end 120 is used topush on and off the push-button switch 290. The coupling 140 of thefirst operable end 120 is fit over the push-button switch 290 and afront face of the push-button switch 290 is engaged by a distal face ofthe rubber O-ring 170 to push on and off the push-button switch 290.With reference to FIG. 11, in another embodiment, an operable end 291includes a cap 292 that slides over and adheres to an outer surface 293of the extension arm 100. The front face of the push-button switch 290is engaged by end wall 294 of the cap 292 of the operable end 291 topush on and off the push-button switch 290.

With reference to FIG. 6, to open/close a vent 300 in a ceiling 252 of aRV 254, a user 240 grabs the extension arm 100 near the first operableend 120 and lifts the extension arm 100 upward so as to reach, engage,and operate a turn crank 310 with the second operable end 130. The turncrank 310 is engaged so that single turn crank arm 320 extending fromturn crank shaft 325 is receivably engaged by third notch 230 at thesecond operable end 130. To open the vent 300, the turn crank 310 isrotated clockwise by the second operable end 130 by rotating the firstoperable end 120. Rotation of the turn crank 310 clockwise opens thevent 300 and rotation of the turn crank 310 counter clockwise closes thevent 300.

With reference to FIG. 7, to open/close a vent 330 in a ceiling 252 of aRV 254, a user 240 grabs the extension arm 100 near the first operableend 120 and lifts the extension arm 100 upward so as to reach, engage,and operate a turn crank 340 with the second operable end 130. The turncrank 340 is engaged so that a pair of arms/wings/blades 350, 360extending outward linearly in opposite directions from turn crank shaft370 are receivably engaged respectively by first notch 180 and secondnotch 190 at the second operable end 130. To open the vent 330, the turncrank 340 is rotated clockwise by the second operable end 130 byrotating the first operable end 120. Rotation of the turn crank 310clockwise opens the vent 330 and rotation of the turn crank 310 counterclockwise closes the vent 330.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, another embodiment of an operable end380 of the extension arm 100 is used to open/close a vent 330 in aceiling 252 of a RV 254. The operable end 380 includes a firstcylindrical coupling 382 that slides over and may be adhered to an outersurface 293 of the extension arm 100. A second cylindrical coupling 384slides over and may be adhered to an outer surface of the firstcylindrical coupling 382. In an alternative embodiment, the firstcylindrical coupling 382 and the second cylindrical coupling 384 may bea single integrated coupling member instead of be two separate couplingmembers 382, 384. The second cylindrical coupling 384 includes anopen-ended window/vent knob control member 386. The window/vent knobcontrol member 386 includes a plurality (e.g., six) of recesses/channels388 that receive corresponding protruding portions 390 of window/ventknob 400 to engage and turn the window/vent knob 400 clockwise andcounter clockwise to open/close the vent 330.

Thus, the extension arm 100 (via the operable ends 120, 130, 171, 172,291, 380) enables a user 240 to reach and/or operate the turn switches260, 290, the crank arms 310, 340, and the window/vent knob 400 in theceilings of RVs 254 to operate the fans 250, 280 and vents 300, 330 inthe ceilings of RVs 254. The extension arm 100 and the operable ends120, 130, 171, 172, 291, 380 eliminate the need for short ladders/stepstools to reach and operate the turn switches 260, 290, the crank arms310, 340, and the window/vent knob 400 in the ceilings of RVs 254.Eliminating the need for short ladders/step stools eliminates the riskof the user falling and hurting oneself and eliminates the extra storagespace requirements of short ladders/step stools. In one or moreembodiments, one end of the extension arm 100 includes operable ends120, 130, 171, 172, 291, or 380 and a second, opposite end of theextension arm 100 includes operable ends 120, 130, 171, 172, 291, or380.

The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention,which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionalitythat can be included in the invention. The invention is not restrictedto the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can beimplemented using a variety of alternative architectures andconfigurations. Additionally, although the invention is described abovein terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it shouldbe understood that the various features and functionality described inone or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described,but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or moreof the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not suchembodiments are described and whether or not such features are presentedas being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope ofthe present invention, especially in the following claims, should not belimited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectivessuch as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms ofsimilar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item describedto a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, butinstead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal,or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at anytime in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with theconjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and everyone of those items e present in the grouping, but rather should be readas “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group ofitems linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiringmutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as“and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items,elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed inthe singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereofunless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence ofbroadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but notlimited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read tomean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances wheresuch broadening phrases may be absent.

I claim:
 1. A method of operating at least one of a fan and a vent in aceiling of a recreational vehicle using an extension arm, the extensionarm including an elongated shaft with a proximal end and a distaloperable end, comprising: gripping the proximal end of the elongatedshaft; engaging one of a turn switch, a turn crank, and a knob of one ofthe fan and vent in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle with thedistal operable end; at least one of operating the fan and vent byrotating one of the turn switch, the turn crank, and the knob with thedistal operable end by rotating the proximal end of the extension arm,causing a corresponding rotation in the distal operable end of theextension arm, wherein the distal operable end includes a couplingattached to the extension arm, the coupling including a plurality oftangs, and engaging includes engaging the turn switch with the pluralityof tangs, the turn switch includes a plurality of arms and the couplingof the distal operable end includes a plurality of spaced notchesseparating the plurality of tangs, and engaging includes receivablyengaging the plurality of arms of the turn switch in the plurality ofspaced notches of the coupling of the operable end so that the pluralityof tangs extend through the plurality of notches, external to aperiphery of the coupling.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thecoupling with tangs include an outer surface and a plurality ofreinforcement tangs adhered to the outer surface to reinforce the tangsand prevent the tangs from breaking off from the coupling.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the coupling with tangs include an outer surface andthe distal operable end includes an outer, larger-diameter coupling withouter tangs adhered to the outer surface of coupling to reinforce thetangs and prevent the tangs from breaking off from the coupling.
 4. Amethod of operating at least one of a fan and a vent in a ceiling of arecreational vehicle using an extension arm, the extension arm includingan elongated shaft with a proximal end and a distal operable end,comprising: gripping the proximal end of the elongated shaft; engagingone of a turn switch, a turn crank, and a knob of one of the fan andvent in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle with the distal operableend; at least one of operating the fan and vent by rotating one of theturn switch, the turn crank, and the knob with the distal operable endby rotating the proximal end of the extension arm, causing acorresponding rotation in the distal operable end of the extension arm,wherein the extension arm includes a circular end with asmaller-diameter concentric O-ring seated circumferentially within thecircular end so as to form an upper exposed O-ring surface, and themethod further includes receiving a smaller-diameter fan switch withinthe circular end and pressing the fan switch with the upper exposedO-ring surface to operate the fan in the ceiling of the recreationalvehicle.
 5. A method of operating at least one of a fan and a vent in aceiling of a recreational vehicle using an extension arm, the extensionarm including an elongated shaft with a proximal end and a distaloperable end, comprising: gripping the proximal end of the elongatedshaft; engaging one of a turn switch, a turn crank, and a knob of one ofthe fan and vent in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle with thedistal operable end; at least one of operating the fan and vent byrotating one of the turn switch, the turn crank, and the knob with thedistal operable end by rotating the proximal end of the extension arm,causing a corresponding rotation in the distal operable end of theextension arm, wherein distal operable end of the extension arm includesa cap, and the method further includes pressing a fan switch with thecap to operate the fan in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle.
 6. Amethod of operating at least one of a fan and a vent in a ceiling of arecreational vehicle using an extension arm, the extension arm includingan elongated shaft with a proximal end and a distal operable end,comprising: gripping the proximal end of the elongated shaft; engagingone of a turn switch, a turn crank, and a knob of one of the fan andvent in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle with the distal operableend; at least one of operating the fan and vent by rotating one of theturn switch, the turn crank, and the knob with the distal operable endby rotating the proximal end of the extension arm, causing acorresponding rotation in the distal operable end of the extension arm,wherein the knob is a vent control knob and includes a plurality ofprotruding portions and the distal operable end includes a couplingattached to the extension arm, the coupling including an open-ended ventknob control member having a closed periphery and a plurality channels,and engaging includes receivably engaging the plurality of protrudingportions of the vent control knob within the plurality of channels ofthe coupling of the distal operable end without the plurality ofportions extending externally to the closed periphery of the coupling.7. A method of operating at least one of a fan and a vent in a ceilingof a recreational vehicle using an extension arm, the extension armincluding an elongated shaft with a proximal end and a distal operableend, comprising: gripping the proximal end of the elongated shaft;engaging one of a turn switch, a turn crank, and a knob of one of thefan and vent in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle with the distaloperable end; at least one of operating the fan and vent by rotating oneof the turn switch, the turn crank, and the knob with the distaloperable end by rotating the proximal end of the extension arm, causinga corresponding rotation in the distal operable end of the extensionarm, wherein the turn crank includes a single turn crank arm and thedistal operable end includes a plurality of notches, and engagingincludes receivably engaging the single turn crank arm within one of theplurality of notches.
 8. A method of operating at least one of a fan anda vent in a ceiling of a recreational vehicle using an extension arm,the extension arm including an elongated shaft with a proximal end and adistal operable end, comprising: gripping the proximal end of theelongated shaft; engaging one of a turn switch, a turn crank, and a knobof one of the fan and vent in the ceiling of the recreational vehiclewith the distal operable end; at least one of operating the fan and ventby rotating one of the turn switch, the turn crank, and the knob withthe distal operable end by rotating the proximal end of the extensionarm, causing a corresponding rotation in the distal operable end of theextension arm, wherein the turn crank includes a pair of arms extendinglinearly in opposite directions from each other and the distal operableend includes a plurality of notches, and engaging includes receivablyengaging the pair of arms within two respective notches of the pluralityof notches.
 9. A method of operating at least one of a fan and a vent ina ceiling of a recreational vehicle using an extension arm, theextension arm including an elongated shaft with a proximal end and adistal operable end, comprising: gripping the proximal end of theelongated shaft; engaging one of a turn switch, a turn crank, and a knobof one of the fan and vent in the ceiling of the recreational vehiclewith the distal operable end; at least one of operating the fan and ventby rotating one of the turn switch, the turn crank, and the knob withthe distal operable end by rotating the proximal end of the extensionarm, causing a corresponding rotation in the distal operable end of theextension arm, wherein the proximal end of the extension arm is a secondoperable end including one of: a coupling including a plurality oftangs, a coupling including a plurality of tangs and a plurality ofspaced notches separating the plurality of tangs, a coupling including aplurality of tangs, an outer surface, and a plurality of reinforcementtangs adhered to the outer surface, a coupling including a plurality oftangs, an outer surface, and an outer, larger-diameter coupling withouter tangs adhered to the outer surface of coupling, a circular endwith an O-ring thereon, an end cap, or a coupling including anopen-ended vent knob control member having a plurality channels and aplurality of notches, and the method further comprising: engaging one ofa turn switch, a pressable switch, a turn crank, and a knob of one ofthe fan and vent in the ceiling of the recreational vehicle with thesecond operable end; and at least one of operating the fan and vent byone of rotating one of the turn switch, the turn crank, and the knobwith the second operable end by rotating the extension arm, and pressingthe pressable switch with the second operable end by raising theextension arm.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method includesengaging the extension arm near the second operable end and operatingone of the turn switch, the turn crank, and the knob with the distaloperable end followed by engaging the extension arm near the distaloperable end, and operating one of the turn switch, the turn crank, andthe knob with the second operable end.